Out of Town

by Andrew Collins

WARM FEELINGS

Try one of these getaways for winter-blah relief

In most of North America, winter rolls in menacingly, bringing sub-freezing temperatures, gray skies, and biting wind for weeks —sometimes months—at a time. Even quite a few diehard fans of cold weather develop an intolerance for this merciless weather by February or March. And a growing number of people suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a real condition despite its made-up-sounding acronym; it’s essentially an acute case of the blahs. If you have the means and time to travel, however, take heart. You can often beat the winter doldrums with a simple, even temporary, change of scenery, such as a long weekend at a sunny and gay-friendly hideaway.

Here is a selection of three gay-friendly inns or resorts set in places that generally offer warmth and sunshine in winter. All are within a three-hour drive of a major international airport.

Montage Resort and Spa

Laguna Beach, California

This super-stylish spread on cliffs overlooking the Pacific opened in February 2003 and has quickly become one of the hottest destinations in gay-trendy Laguna Beach. The Arts and Crafts-inspired architecture utilizes a wood-and-stone construction, shingle roof, and copper gutters, and each of the 262 rooms has been designed to capture views of the beach, the ocean, or both. Works by noted California artists fill these elegant accommodations, which, despite a turn-of-the-20th-century aesthetic, contain such modern trappings as 400-thread-count bed linens, cordless phones with caller ID, high-speed Internet, and flat-screen TVs with DVD players.

Part of the joy of staying here, especially if you’re seeking some stress release, is the dazzling 20,000-square-foot spa, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the ocean. Here you can get a facial or opt for hydrotherapy treatments, or enroll in aerobics and yoga classes. The numerous art galleries and great restaurants of Laguna Beach are close by, as are a couple of fun gay bars.

Montage is really the classic luxury getaway—the perfect place to treat yourself to a cushy break from the rat race.

Montage is 60 to 90 minutes from L.A. and San Diego and even closer to the airports in Long Beach and Newport Beach/Irvine.

Montage Resort. 30801 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, California. 866/271-6953, www.montagelagunabeach.com.

Susa’s Serendipity Ranch

Apache Junction, Arizona

Occupying a 15-acre desert spread at the very eastern edge of metro Phoenix, Susa’s is far enough out to feel removed from the city, but close enough to be a convenient base for exploring the region’s many attractions, parks, and preserves, and shopping and dining districts. This women’s inn consists of six affordably priced guesthouses decorated with Southwestern colors and furnishings and connected by landscaped paths. There are also two full RV hook-ups.

The guesthouses are well suited for short or long stays. Each has a private entrance, well-equipped kitchen or kitchenette, and TV and VCR. The Cowgirl ranks among the most inviting units, with rustic wood-paneled walls, Southwest-print fabrics, a wood-burning stove, and a deep tub large enough for two. Santa Fe has beautiful Saltillo-tile floors, cozy beamed ceilings, and great views from the patio of the dramatic Superstition Mountains. Susa’s is pet-friendly and actually has horse corrals and stalls available for rent. It’s the sort of place where you could easily end up turning a weekend adventure into a season-long escape from the cold.

The ranch is about 40 minutes east of busy Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

Susa’s Serendipity Ranch. 4375 E. Superstition Blvd., Apache Junction, Arizona. 480/288-9333, www.susasranch.com.

Turtle Beach Waterfront Resort

Siesta Key, Florida

Florida’s Gulf Coast is less see-and-be-seen than its Atlantic counterpart, and it typically enjoys gentler surf and fewer crowds. When it’s peace and quiet you're after, the sumptuous Turtle Beach Waterfront Resort—with just 10 secluded cottages overlooking Little Sarasota Bay—fits the bills nicely.

The tone at this mainstream but gay-friendly hideaway is low-keyed and private. This isn’t the sort of place where guests spend a lot of time mingling. Instead, plan to cozy up inside your studio, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom unit—each has a fully equipped kitchen, TV with VCR, and private outdoor hot tub on a foliage-enclosed patio. You can also pursue a wealth of outdoor activities by borrowing the resort’s bicycles, fishing gear, kayaks, rowboats, and paddleboats; there are four boat docks for easy water access.

Siesta Key is a quiet resort island famous for its nesting sea turtles. It’s within easy driving distance of the dining and shopping of downtown Sarasota (there’s also an excellent restaurant right next door). Other area highlights include Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, which hosts major concerts and shows; the esteemed John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art; and the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

Turtle Beach is 25 minutes south of Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport.

Turtle Beach Waterfront Resort. 9049 Midnight Pass Rd., Siesta Key, Florida. 941/349-4554, www.turtlebeachresort.com.

Andrew Collins is the author of 10 travel guides, including Fodor’s Gay Guide to the USA.

If you have any comments about this article, please email them to letters@outsmartmagazine.com.